What're some of the methods you guys have used to upgrade to a DIN sized head unit? I'm thinking of ideas on electrical for when I get my own project car. For the '70 Swinger I've been working on, I used spade connectors and a couple terminal strips from Radiosmack. Nice clean installation and allows for easy removal and changeout for a new radio, but not exactly the choice method when security is concerned.

I'm thinking that wiring in a late model Dodge radio connector would work fairly well, but it'd still be easy to get into that dash and rip the thing out, especially for a scumbag who knew what he was doing.

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'74 Duster w/ HEI ignition, beat to snot suspension, A904, 8.25" 3.55 SG rear, still being tuned up and gets 17 MPG

Know how they always build a better idiot? That's me

i didnt want to mess up my factory dash in my 67 dart, so i ran wires nder stuff and cable tied the head unit to the air vents....ive got bazooka tubes on the back floorboard for the "front" speakers, and boxes in the back window, the result:
an easy to steal, but all original stuff left intact, and decent four speakers system.....

I'm too anal about integration to not put the DIN unit in the dash

Example: I completely tore into my truck's wiring just so I could run the new Monster Cable speaker wires the same route that the factory wires went (and I had time to kill that day).

I'd love to have a nice high end system at some point after restoration that just sounds good. No obnoxious bass or garbage like that. Quality over quantity.

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'74 Duster w/ HEI ignition, beat to snot suspension, A904, 8.25" 3.55 SG rear, still being tuned up and gets 17 MPG

Know how they always build a better idiot? That's me

i didnt want to cut into the dash or doors and i couldnt find any other place for the front speakers, i had those tubes just lying around so it worked out perfect, with those tubes on the back floorboard, theres still as much foot room(and more leg room) then in my cavalier

sorry, i couldnt pick which one to use.....
good luck with your installation

Don't shoot me, but I referred to a Popular Hot Rod magazine for Ideas. Found a guy here locally who manfactures metal under-dash din cabinet kit in 3 different sizes. Purchased the one that was 12x8 inches for around 48 bucks so I could add my heater control knobs and maintain a factory look. In my installation it replaces the existing under the dash heater control panel perfectly..Looking to put speakers in the sail panels and in the overhead, but haven't worked this all way through yet. Depends on my success with coming up with a hard liner which the speaker openings would be cast into using marine fiberglass to make the liner in multiple sections...Dave

Got pics of the panel?

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'74 Duster w/ HEI ignition, beat to snot suspension, A904, 8.25" 3.55 SG rear, still being tuned up and gets 17 MPG

Know how they always build a better idiot? That's me

Got my new camera for 75% off here on the base, now I need to learn how to use it! Willl be putting a site together for the GT soon...Dave

I wish the previous owner did not hack that dashboard to put a damn din size radio in!!
the only pro is: I don't have a problem to mount my radio now.

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Moving to the U.S??? no thank you! I'm livin' in the land of free healthcare!

Know the feeling, the prior owner never used the radio, so no incentive to chop up the dash. My philosphie is "If I have to cut the dash, the project doesn't get done". Cutting a dash is one of my top pet peeves...Dave

75% off???

Good God you really do get a deal buying stuff on base, huh?

And as for cutting the dash, that's what I did to mount her radio
I don't see any downside to it, aside from it's easy to screw up and you can't go back (though as far as the radio, I wouldn't want to as long as the new radio looks factory).

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'74 Duster w/ HEI ignition, beat to snot suspension, A904, 8.25" 3.55 SG rear, still being tuned up and gets 17 MPG

Know how they always build a better idiot? That's me

Just wait till I modify a Din unit to appear factory. Have all the knobs and assorted parts and spare am radio chassie and it will fit in the stock location except for being back a 1/4 from flush....Dave

You think you can get a DIN unit's guts to fit into the factory radio housing? It'd have to be a changer cause you wouldn't be able to get a CD through the dash openings

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'74 Duster w/ HEI ignition, beat to snot suspension, A904, 8.25" 3.55 SG rear, still being tuned up and gets 17 MPG

Know how they always build a better idiot? That's me

I hacked the dash to get it to get my Kenwood KDC-MP8017 to fit ...hardly really hacking. I'm not sure if that's din or half-din sized anyway. All you I had to do is lop off a little ear on the bottom of the hole, then the radio slid right in. After you do that, you can get a radio delete plate and trim that down to make the sides of the unit look better (I have the plate, but haven't done it yet).

I just cut mine because while I appreciate all-original cars, mine is a daily driver. I had no problems putting an electric fan in, disc brakes, etc, so a radio is no different to me. And it's a 4-door Dart that I'm going to keep forever...nobody will ever buy it off of me.

Actually the head unit does not install in the dash, this is what i'm using the gutted am chassie for and will install the din unit into that, slightly setback from flush with the dash and use the existing knob holes to bolt the whole mess in using a custom made face plate. Should be interesting to see what I can accomplish, gotta find a use for all those am radios I have sitting around...Dave

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Troops on the battlefield have a far better view of the battle then the generals who lead them

That'd be cool to do. I'll bet once you've got it perfected you'll have a bunch of people wanting to do the same things. I know if I could do that, I'd get a changer so I could retain the factory appearance. Until then I'm stuck making stuff look as factory as possible

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'74 Duster w/ HEI ignition, beat to snot suspension, A904, 8.25" 3.55 SG rear, still being tuned up and gets 17 MPG

Know how they always build a better idiot? That's me